Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Screaming starter

Since the cold weather has moved in, I have had great difficulty in starting the stique, usually the first 2-10 tries, I just get a screeching sound similar to that of the godawful noise made when someone attempts to re-start a vehicle that is already.

I'm guessing it would be the motor, the solenoid, or the flex plate based upon the forum archives, does anybody have a definitive answer to what the problem might be. I much prefer to do the repair myself if it's possible.

Thanks as always.

Most likely the bendix on the starter is stuck in the engaged position.. replace the starter, and inspect the flywheel for damage to the teeth from said sticking starter.


2 hour job..

I'll help if you need the walkthrough.

You can take the little access cover off on the bottom of the engine and have someone turn the crank by hand to check the ring gear teeth. Or you can check it when you take the starter out, but make sure you check that gear. Big job, if the gear is shot...not big money, for parts just big labour.

If it hasn't done the noise a long time, you might just need a starter.

could also be problem with teeth on ring gear. I have a spot on my ring gear where the starter gear cannot grab and it screaches. Every so often I wind up on that spot but after 1 attempt it must move enough to catch another tooth.